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July 1 |
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Blessed Junípero Serra
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Junípero Serra was born in Petra, on the island of
Mallorca, Spain, on November 24, 1713. The boy
became a student at the Franciscan school in Palma,
twenty-five miles away. He joined the Franciscan Order
on September 14, 1730, a few months before his seventeenth
birthday. During his novitiate, Junípero read
a biography of Franciscan saints. The saint whose life
captivated him most was St. Francis Solano, who had
lived from 1549 until 1610. This missionary priest to
South America had just been declared a saint in 1726
by Pope Benedict XIII. The young novice decided that,
if it were God’s will, he, too, would be a missionary.
Junípero was ordained a priest in 1736. He
became a professor of philosophy. After he had been
in the Order twenty years, he was given a wonderful
opportunity. Franciscan friars were asked to volunteer
for the mission territories called “New Spain”
(now Mexico and California). Junípero and his close
friend, Friar Francisco Palou, joined the missionary
band at Cadiz, Spain, a seaport city. From there they
sailed the Atlantic Ocean to Vera Cruz, Mexico. They
landed on December 6, 1749. Junípero and another
friar walked the next part of the journey from Vera
Cruz to Mexico City, a distance of 240 miles. They
began on December 15, 1749, and arrived on January
1, 1750. From Mexico City, Junípero and Friar
Francisco Palou were sent to work among the Pame
Indians at the Franciscan Mission of the Sierra Gorda.
Several of the friars were then assigned to missions
in Lower California. Junípero, Francisco, and a handful
of other Franciscans were asked to bring the Gospel to
the native peoples in Upper California. Junípero started
Mission San Diego on July 16, 1769, when he was
fifty-six years old. The mission was an open invitation
to his beloved people to come and meet Jesus.
Gradually, they trusted the friars. Some people were
baptized and began to live the Christian faith. Father
Serra and the friars loved and protected their people.
The chain of new missions grew: Mission San Carlos in
Monterey on June 1, 1770; Mission San Antonio de
Padua on July 14, 1771; Mission San Gabriel Archangel,
September 8, 1771; Mission San Luis Obispo,
September 1, 1772; Mission San Francisco de Asis,
October 9, 1776; Mission San Juan Capistrano,
November 1, 1776; Mission Santa Clara de Asis, January
12, 1777; Mission San Buenaventura, March 31, 1782.
Eventually, 6,000 native peoples were baptized.
Blessed Junípero made his final tour of the missions
in Upper California from the last part of 1783
until July of 1784. He died peacefully at Mission San
Carlos on August 28, 1784, and is buried there. In
1988 Pope John Paul II declared Father Junípero
Serra blessed.
Our world can become very small when we’re
wrapped up in ourselves. We can ask Blessed
Junípero Serra to teach us to be compassionate and
concerned for others. This will lead us to reach out
to others in need, in the spirit of the Gospel.
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July 2 |
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St. Oliver Plunket
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Oliver Plunket was born in Ireland on November
1, 1629. He attended school at St. Mary’s Benedictine
Abbey in Dublin. When he was sixteen years old he
went to Rome to continue his studies and prepare for
the priesthood.
He was ordained in 1654 and remained in Rome
for fifteen years as a professor of theology. He was
also named the Procurator for the Irish bishops. In
1669, he became archbishop of Armagh and the
Primate of All Ireland.
At this time, England’s king, Charles II, was trying to
stabilize the Anglican Church in England, Scotland, and
Ireland. He did this by trying to do away with other
religions, including the Catholic Church. Archbishop
Plunket returned to Ireland in disguise. He wore civilian
clothes and called himself Captain Brown.
By May, 1670, the persecution of Catholics eased
up, and Archbishop Plunket was able to work
throughout his diocese without a disguise. Over the
next three years he confirmed about 10,000
Catholics, reorganized his diocese, ordained new
priests, and opened new schools.
But in 1673 the persecution of Catholics was
renewed. Oliver Plunket was forced into hiding. In
1678, a man named Titus Oates reported that the
Catholics were planning to murder the king and
place his Catholic brother on the throne. It was later
found out that Oates made the whole thing up, and
he was imprisoned for perjury (lying under oath). In
the meantime, Catholic bishops and priests were
ordered to leave Ireland.
Oliver Plunket was arrested on December 6,
1679, and sentenced to nine months of solitary confinement
in London. In an unfair trial, he was convicted
of high treason. He was hanged on July 1 at
Tyburn, the last Catholic to be martyred in England.
Oliver Plunket was canonized by Pope Paul VI in
1975.
We should pray for our Church leaders, that
they’ll have the courage and zeal to serve the people
entrusted to them, even in the face of danger and difficulty.
We should also pray that they’ll be consoled
and helped by the faithful support of their people.
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July 3 |
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St. Thomas the Apostle
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Thomas was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus.
In the Syriac language his name means “twin.” Once
when Jesus was going to face the danger of being
killed, the other apostles tried to keep the Master
back. St. Thomas said to them, ”Let us also go, that we
may die with him” (Jn 11:16).
When Jesus was captured by his enemies, Thomas
lost his courage. He ran away with the other apostles.
His heart was broken with sorrow at the death of his
beloved Lord. Then on Easter Sunday, Jesus appeared
to his apostles after he had risen from the dead. He
showed them the wounds in his hands and side.
Thomas was not with them at the time. As soon as he
arrived, the other apostles told him joyfully, ”We have
seen the Lord.” They thought Thomas would be
happy. Instead, he did not believe their message. He
hadn’t seen Jesus as they had.
“Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails,”
he said, ”and put my finger into the nailmarks, and put
my hand into his side, I will not believe.” Eight days
later, Jesus appeared to his apostles again. This time,
Thomas was there, too. Christ called him and told
him to touch his hands and the wound in his side.
Thomas fell down at the Master’s feet and cried out,
“My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus said, ”Because you
have seen me, Thomas, you have believed. Blessed are
they who have not seen, and yet have believed.” You
will find this story in the Gospel of John, chapter 20,
verses 24–29.
After Pentecost, Thomas was strong and firm in
his belief and trust in Jesus. It is said that he went to
India to preach the Gospel. He died a martyr there,
after proclaiming the Good News of Jesus to many
people.
We often hear of St. Thomas referred to as the
“doubter.” But the moment he saw the Risen Christ
he made an unwavering act of faith. When the
priest lifts the sacred Host at Mass, we too can pray
the words of St. Thomas, “My Lord and my God!”
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July 4 |
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St. Elizabeth of Portugal
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Elizabeth, a Spanish princess, was born in 1271.
She was named after her aunt, St. Elizabeth of
Hungary, whose feast day is November 17. She married
King Denis of Portugal at the age of twelve. (For
political reasons, in those days it was not uncommon
for important marriages to be arranged involving
very young people, even children.) Elizabeth was
beautiful and very lovable. She was also devout and
went to Mass every day. Elizabeth’s husband was
fond of her at first, but soon he began to cause her
great suffering. Though a good ruler, he did not have
his wife’s love of prayer and virtue. In fact, his sins of
impurity were well-known scandals throughout his
kingdom.
St. Elizabeth tried to be a loving mother to her
children, Alphonso and Constance. She was also generous
and loving with the people of Portugal. Even
though her husband was unfaithful, she prayed that
he would have a change of heart. Elizabeth refused to
become bitter and resentful. Gradually, the king was
moved by her patience and good example. He began
to live a better life. He apologized to his wife and
showed her greater respect. In his last sickness the
queen never left his side, except for Mass. King Denis
died on January 6, 1325. He had shown deep sorrow
for his sins and his death was peaceful.
Elizabeth lived eleven more years. She joined the
Franciscan Third Order and performed loving acts of
charity and penance. She was a wonderful model of
kindness toward the poor. This gentle woman was
also a peacemaker between members of her own
family and between nations.
St. Elizabeth of Portugal died on July 4, 1336. She
was proclaimed a saint by Pope Urban VIII in 1626.
St. Elizabeth found the strength for daily living
each morning at Mass. We can ask her to help us
appreciate the great treasure of the Mass, participating
in it with attention and devotion.
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July 5 |
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St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria
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Anthony was born in Italy in 1502. While he was
still young, his father died. His mother encouraged
Anthony in the special love he felt for the sufferings
of poor people. Mrs. Zaccaria sent her son to the
University of Padua so that he could become a doctor.
He was only twenty-two when he graduated.
The young doctor was very successful. Yet he did
not feel satisfied. He realized that he wanted to
become a priest. Anthony began to study theology. He
also continued to care for the sick and to comfort and
inspire the dying. He started to use all his spare
moments to read and meditate on the Letters of St. Paul
in the Bible. He had read the life of the great apostle
Paul many times and had given much thought to his
virtues. Now Anthony was burning with a strong desire
to become a saint and to bring everyone to Jesus.
After he was ordained a priest, St. Anthony Mary
moved to the great city of Milan. There he would be
able to help many more people. He also started an
Order of priests. They are the Clerics Regular of St.
Paul. People call them “Barnabites” after their head-
quarters at the Church of St. Barnabas in Milan. In imitation
of the apostle Paul, St. Anthony and his priests
preached everywhere. They repeated the words and
sentences of Paul. They explained Paul’s message
with words that were easy to understand. The people
loved and appreciated this. St. Anthony also had a
great love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and
introduced the Forty Hours Devotion.
St. Anthony Mary was only thirty-seven when he
died on July 5, 1539. Pope Leo XIII proclaimed him a
saint in 1897.
St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria had a great devotion
to the apostle, St. Paul. He used to say, “I have
never asked St. Paul for a grace without having
received it.” Let’s read the letters of St. Paul, asking
him for the graces we need the most.
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July 6 |
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St. Maria Goretti
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Maria was born in 1890 in Italy. Her father died of
malaria ten years later. By the time she was twelve,
Maria helped her mother on the farm, in the house,
and with the care of the other children. She never
complained because they were so poor. In fact, she
cheered up her mother and was a great comfort to
her. She went to Mass regularly even though it meant
a two-hour walk. Maria also received the Sacrament
of Reconciliation as often as she could.
A young neighbor, Alexander, tried a few times to
make Maria sin against purity. She absolutely refused.
She did her best to avoid him. July 5, 1902 was a hot
summer day. Maria was alone in the cottage mending
clothes. Alexander came again to try to make her
sin. Maria refused once more. He attacked her and
dragged her into an inner room. Maria managed to
keep saying, ”No, no! What you are doing is a mortal
sin. God doesn’t want it. If you do this, you will go to
hell.” And she struggled as much as she could.
Alexander panicked. He stabbed her furiously with a
dagger he had made. Then he ran away.
Maria was taken to a hospital, where she died
about twenty-four hours later. During her last hours,
she forgave her attacker. Her only worry was for
her mother. With great joy, the girl received Jesus in
Holy Communion. Then she went to heaven.
Alexander was sent to prison. For eight years he
refused to repent of his horrible crime. Then one
night he had a dream or a vision of Maria offering him
flowers. From that moment on, he was a changed man.
When he was freed from prison after twenty years, his
first visit was to the Goretti home. He asked Maria’s
mother for forgiveness. Then Alexander spent the rest
of his life as the gardener in a nearby monastery.
Maria was declared blessed by Pope Pius XII on
April 27, 1947. The pope appeared on the balcony of
St. Peter’s with Maria’s eighty-two-year-old mother,
Assunta. Three years later, on July 25, 1950, the same
pope declared Maria a saint. He called her “a martyr
of holy purity.”
We can help ourselves live our Christian values
if we participate in the Mass and receive the
Sacrament of Reconciliation often. We can also
choose good movies, videos, books, and magazines.
When we feel weak, we can ask St. Maria Goretti to
help us be the kind of Christian she was.
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July 7 |
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Blessed Roger Dickenson, Blessed Ralph Milner, and Blessed Lawrence Humphrey
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These three martyrs lived in England during the
persecution of the Catholic Church by Queen
Elizabeth I. Ralph Milner was a husband and father.
He worked as a farm laborer and was brought into
the Church through the good example of his neighbors.
The day he made his First Communion he was
put into prison for being a Catholic. The jailer liked
Mr. Milner so his prison confinement was not strict at
first. For several years, he went on “parole” to find
supplies of food and whatever the other prisoners
needed. While on parole, he was of great help to
Father Stanney, a Jesuit, and “Mr.” Roger Dickenson, an
undercover diocesan priest.
The day came when Father Dickenson, too, was
caught. He and Mr. Milner were brought to trial
together. Father Dickenson was tried for the crime of
being a Catholic priest. Mr. Milner was tried for helping
Father Dickenson perform his ministry. The judge
looked at the crowd in the courtroom. He thought
of Mrs. Milner and the couple’s eight children. He
wanted to free Milner at all costs. ”All you have to do,”
he said, ”is visit a Protestant church, just for a few minutes,
to say you have been there. I’ll let you go free to
be with your family.” Mr. Milner quietly and firmly
refused. He and Father Dickenson went bravely to
their deaths. It was July 7, 1591.
The third martyr, Lawrence Humphrey, had been
brought into the Church by Father Stanney. He would
not give up the faith he had so recently acquired.
Lawrence was just twenty-one years old when he was
martyred.
Every martyr reminds us that a treasure is
worth defending. The martyrs recognized the value
of their Catholic faith. They would not give it up for
any reason. We can pray to Blessed Roger, Blessed
Ralph, and Blessed Lawrence. They’ll lead us to love
and cherish our beliefs as they did.
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July 8 |
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Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati
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Pier Giorgio Frassati was born on April 6, 1901, in
Turin, Italy. His father, Alfredo, was the founder and
director of an Italian newspaper and a politician. His
mother, Adelaide, was a painter. Mr. and Mrs. Frassati
were not exactly ideal parents. Alfredo antagonized
his children, and Adelaide was high-strung and critical.
They attended Mass because it was an obligation.
From his early childhood, Pier Giorgio was sensitive
to the needs of others. One day a poor woman
knocked at the door of the Frassati home. She held
in her arms a child who had no shoes. Without a
moment’s hesitation, four-year-old Pier Giorgio took
off his shoes and socks and gave them to the child.
Pier Giorgio was more deeply religious than his
parents. At the age of fourteen, he began attending
Mass and receiving Communion almost every day.
Pier Giorgio joined the Dominican Third Order,
attracted by the Dominican spirituality combining
contemplation and active ministry. Pier Giorgio’s
ministry was to the poor. He went into the squalid
homes of the poor or to the bedside of the sick,
always remembering that it was Christ he was visiting.
Even though his family was well off, he went
without certain things in order to be able to give to
the poor from his own allowance. He did not want to
take advantage of his family’s wealth.
Pier Giorgio’s friends knew him as a lively
prankster who enjoyed mountain climbing and skiing.
He was also a social justice activist, taking part in religious
demonstrations against Fascism. He ended up in
jail after one of these marches, and spent the time
calmly praying his Rosary and encouraging his friends.
In 1925, he contracted polio from one of his
patients. By June, he was severely ill, but kept his sufferings
secret because his grandmother was dying
in the Frassati home at the time. He claimed to have
the flu and his family gave him little thought. By the
time his grandmother died, no one knew that Pier
Giorgio was close to death. His mother, who stayed
home with him instead of attending the funeral, criticized
him for coming down with the flu at such an
inconvenient time. But soon she realized that her son
was very ill—and not with the flu. Pier Giorgio would
die three days later.
His last hours were spent in quiet prayer and in
giving last minute instructions for helping the poor,
who were always on his mind. Then, early in the
morning of July 4, 1925, he died quietly after receiving
the Sacrament of Anointing. He was twenty-four. Soon
after his death, the Frassati family was astounded
when crowds of people came to the church for his
funeral. They were the many poor people that Pier
Giorgio had helped in his short life. They came to pay
their last respects to this remarkable young man.
Pier Giorgio was beatified by Pope John Paul II in
1990.
Blessed Pier Giorgio put Christ first in his life.
Instead of feeling sorry for himself when his family
did not understand him, he focused his attention
on those less fortunate than he was. Because of this,
he’s a witness to true Gospel joy. We can ask him to
help us give joyously to others, too.
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July 9 |
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St. Augustine Zhao Rong and Companions
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On this day, the Church celebrates the many people
throughout Chinese history who have been heroic
examples of Christian faith. St. Augustine Zhao
Rong is one of the 122 Catholics who died for their
faith as martyrs between 1648 and 1930.
In 1815, a bishop named John Gabriel Dufresse
was arrested. It was against the law to practice
Christianity. One of the Chinese soldiers who was
guarding him was deeply impressed by the bishop’s
calmness and patience under persecution. After
Bishop Dufresse was put to death, the soldier asked
to become a member of the Catholic Church. He was
baptized, taking the name Augustine. Augustine then
entered the seminary and studied to become a priest.
Soon after he was ordained, he was arrested for
being a Christian. He was tortured in an attempt to
try to make him give up his faith in Christ. But his
sufferings only made him stronger and surer of his
beliefs. He was put to death, and his name was
added to the list of brave Chinese men, women, and
children who sacrificed their lives in testimony to
their faith.
This list of heroes includes seventy-six lay people,
some of them children as young as seven years old,
eight seminarians, twenty-four priests, and six bishops.
Of these people, eighty-eight were Chinese and
thirty-four were missionaries from other countries,
who had made China their home.
Let us follow the example of St. Augustine Zhao
Rong and his companion martyrs of China. Like
them, we can live our faith joyfully. We can be
courageous in standing up for what’s right, even
when it’s not the popular thing to do.
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July 10 |
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St. Veronica Giuliani
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Ursula Giuliani was born in Italy in 1660. From
a very young age, she was drawn to live a holy life.
Even though her father wanted her to be married,
at the age of seventeen she joined a community of
Capuchin nuns. She took the name Veronica.
When she was thirty-seven, Sister Veronica began to
experience in her own body the sufferings that Christ
had endured during his passion and death. She received
the stigmata, the wounds of the nail marks in her hands
and feet. The bishop, after investigating these wounds,
declared that they were a supernatural gift from God.
Sister Veronica devoted herself to a life of contemplative
prayer combined with great activity. As
novice mistress, she guided the young sisters in her
community for thirty-four years. Her sisters elected
her their abbess, and she held that office for the last
eleven years of her life.
Toward the end of her life, Veronica’s confessor
gave her the task of writing down her spiritual experiences.
Veronica Giuliani died on July 9, 1727. She
was canonized in 1839, and is considered one of the
greatest mystics of the eighteenth century.
St. Veronica Giuliani was very devoted to the sufferings
of Christ. A good way to practice this devotion
is to read about the passion and death of Jesus
in the Gospels. This will inspire us to live a holier life
and to love God and our neighbor more selflessly.
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July 11 |
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St. Benedict
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St. Benedict was born in Nursia, Italy, in 480. He
was from a rich Italian family. His life was full of
adventure and wonderful deeds. As a boy, he went to
Rome to study in the public schools. When he was a
young man, he became disgusted with the corrupt
lifestyle of pagan Rome. Benedict left the city and
went looking for a place where he could be alone
with God. He found the right spot. It was a cave in
the mountain of Subiaco. A monk named Romanus
taught Benedict about the life of a hermit and gave
him a habit. He also brought Benedict some of his
own food each day.
Benedict spent three years there alone. The
devil often tempted him to go back to his rich home
and easy life. However, Benedict overcame these
temptations by prayer and penance. One day, the
devil kept making him think of a beautiful woman
he had once seen in Rome. The devil tried to make
him go back to look for her. Benedict almost gave in
to the temptation. But instead, he devoted himself
even more to prayer and penance. From then on, his
life was calm. He did not feel powerful temptations
like that again.
After three years, people learned that Benedict
was living in the mountain cave and started coming
to him. They wanted to learn how to become holy.
Some monks, whose abbot had died, asked him to
be their new spiritual leader. But when he tried to
make them do penance, they grew angry. It is said
that they even tried to poison Benedict. He made the
Sign of the Cross over the poisoned wine and the
glass shattered to pieces.
Benedict left those monks and returned to his
cave. From there he started twelve monasteries. Then
he went to Monte Cassino where he built his best-known
monastery. It was here that Benedict wrote
the wonderful Rule for the Benedictine Order. He
taught his monks to pray and work hard. He taught
them especially to be humble always. Benedict and
his monks greatly helped the people of their times.
They taught them how to read and write, how to
farm, and how to work at different trades. St. Benedict
was able to do good because he prayed all the time.
He died on March 21, 547. In 1966, Pope Paul VI proclaimed
him the patron of Europe.
St. Benedict reminds us that there’s a deep need
in us to spend some time with God. But we don’t
have to go to a mountain cave. We can stop in at
church and make a visit to Jesus in the Blessed
Sacrament. We can also have a prayer corner in
our room. We’ll grow close to God through our
daily conversations with Jesus.
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July 12 |
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St. John Gaulbert
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St. John was born in Florence, Italy, at the end of
the tenth century. He and his father were devastated
when John’s only brother, Hugh, was murdered.
The man who did it was supposed to have been
Hugh’s friend. Urged on by his father and by his
own anger, John began looking for a way to avenge
his brother’s death. He felt that his personal honor
depended on it.
One Good Friday, he came face to face with the
murderer in a narrow city passageway. John drew his
sword and started toward the man. Hugh’s killer fell
to his knees. He crossed his arms on his chest and
begged forgiveness for love of Jesus who died on the
cross. With a tremendous effort, John dropped his
sword! He embraced his enemy and moved on down
the road. When he came to a monastery church, he
went in and knelt before the crucifix. He asked forgiveness
for his sins. Then a miracle happened!
Christ, on the cross, bowed his head. It was as if to
tell John that he was pleased with him for forgiving
his enemy. John felt that his own sins were forgiven.
Such a change came over him that he went straight
to the abbot of that monastery. He asked if he could
join the monks.
When John’s father heard about it, he said he
would burn the whole monastery if his son did not
come out. The monks did not know what to do. John
solved the problem by cutting off his hair and borrowing
a habit from one of the monks. His father was
so impressed with his commitment that he let him
remain. St. John later went off to live a stricter life. He
started his own community of monks.
John became a model for imitating the simple
lifestyle of Jesus. He also took wonderful care of all
the poor people who came to the monastery gate.
God granted him power to work miracles and to
give wise guidance. Even Pope St. Leo IX went to St.
John to seek his advice. St. John died on July 12,
1073. He was proclaimed a saint by Pope Celestine
III in 1193.
Even the greatest sins can be forgiven by God. If
we forgive those who wrong us, God will also forgive
our sins. We can ask St. John Gaulbert to help
us have forgiving hearts like his.
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July 13 |
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St. Henry II
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Henry was born in 972. He became the duke of
Bavaria in 995. One night he had an unusual vision.
St. Wolfgang, who had been his beloved teacher
when he was a boy, appeared to him. Wolfgang
pointed to the words, “after six,” written on the
wall. What could that mean? Perhaps Henry was to
die in six days? With that thought, he prayed with
great fervor for six days. At the end of the six days,
however, he was in perfect health. Perhaps it meant
six months? The duke devoted himself to doing
good more than ever. At the end of six months, he
was healthier than before. So he decided he had six
years to get ready for death. But instead of dying
after that time had passed, he was elected emperor
of Germany. Then he understood what the vision
had meant.
Henry worked hard to keep his people happy and
his country united. To defend justice he fought many
wars. He was honest in battle and insisted that his
armies be honorable, too. Henry married a very
gentle and loving woman named Cunegund around
998. She, too, has been proclaimed a saint. Henry and
Cunegund went to Rome in 1014. They were
crowned emperor and empress of the Holy Roman
Empire. It was a great honor because Pope Benedict
VIII himself crowned them.
Emperor Henry was one of the best rulers of the
Holy Roman Empire. He promoted Church reform. He
encouraged the growth of new monasteries and built
beautiful churches. He showed his own love for Jesus
and the Church with sincerity. He was a man of prayer
and was greatly attracted to religious life, but he
accepted his role as husband and ruler and fulfilled
his responsibilities generously. Henry was just fifty-two
when he died in 1024. He was proclaimed a saint
by Blessed Eugene III in 1146. Pope St. Pius X named
Emperor Henry the patron of Benedictine Oblates.
God calls people of all walks of life and occupations
to lives of holiness. No one should think
they’re too busy or too important to put God first in
their lives. In fact, when God comes first, everything
else falls into place. God must be our top priority.
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July 14 |
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Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha
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Between the years 1642 and 1649, St. Isaac Jogues
and his companions came from France to preach the
Gospel in the New World. They were killed by
Mohawks while evangelizing the Huron Indians. Ten
years after the death of St. Isaac Jogues, Kateri
Tekakwitha was born in the same village where he
had died. (We celebrate the feast of St. Isaac and the
North American Martyrs on October 19.)
Tekakwitha was born in Auriesville, New York, in
1656. Her mother was a Christian Algonquin Native
American. Her father was a non-Christian Mohawk
chief. Tekakwitha’s parents and brother died of smallpox
when she was four. The same disease left
Tekakwitha with impaired vision and a disfigured
face. Her uncle, a Mohawk chief, raised her. This is
how Tekakwitha met the missionaries. On one occasion,
her uncle had three Jesuit missionaries as his
guests. Tekakwitha began to receive instructions in
the faith. She was baptized on Easter Sunday, 1676.
That is when she took the name Kateri, which means
Katherine.
The village in which she lived was not Christian.
In fact, there were no other Christians in her lodge.
The Indians did not appreciate her choice to remain
unmarried. They insulted her and some resented that
she did not work on Sundays. But Kateri held her
ground. She prayed her Rosary every day, even when
others made fun of her. She practiced patience and
suffered quietly. Kateri’s life grew harder because of
the villagers’ persecution. She fled to a Christian village
near Montreal. There, on Christmas Day, 1677,
she received her First Communion. It was a wonderful
day. Father Pierre Cholonec, a Jesuit, guided her
spiritual life for the next three years. She and an older
Iroquois woman named Anastasia lived as joyful, generous
Christians. Kateri made a private vow of virginity
on March 25, 1679. She was just twenty-four when
she died on April 17,1680. Three hundred years later,
on June 22, 1980, Kateri Tekakwitha was declared
blessed by Pope John Paul II. She is known as the “Lily
of the Mohawks.”
Blessed Kateri received the gift of belief in Jesus
because of the sacrifices of the missionaries. We can
thank Jesus for those who brought the Catholic religion
into our lives, too. Who are they? Our parents?
Grandparents? Other relatives? Parish priest?
Religion teacher? We can ask Blessed Kateri to
teach us how to be grateful by sharing our faith
with others.
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July 15 |
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St. Bonaventure
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Bonaventure was born in 1221 in Tuscany, Italy,
and was baptized John. Bonaventure joined the
Franciscan Order, which was still new. In fact, St.
Francis of Assisi, who started the Franciscans, was still
alive when Bonaventure was born. As a young
Franciscan, Bonaventure left his own country to
study at the University of Paris in France. He became
a wonderful writer about the things of God. He loved
God so much that people began to call him the
“Seraphic Doctor.” Seraphic means angelic.
One of Bonaventure’s famous friends was St.
Thomas Aquinas. His feast day is January 28. Thomas
asked Bonaventure where he got the ideas for all
the beautiful things he wrote. St. Bonaventure took
his friend and led him to his desk. He pointed to the
large crucifix that always stood on his desk. ”It is he
who tells me everything. He is my only Teacher.”
Another time, when he was writing the life of St.
Francis of Assisi, Bonaventure was so full of fervor
that St. Thomas exclaimed: “Let us leave a saint to
write about a saint.” Bonaventure always kept himself
humble even though his books made him
famous.
In 1265, Pope Clement IV wanted Bonaventure
to become an archbishop. He begged the pope to
accept his refusal. The pope respected his decision.
However, Bonaventure did agree to be minister general
of his Order. He fulfilled this difficult task for
seventeen years. In 1273, Blessed Pope Gregory X
made Bonaventure a cardinal. The pope sent two
papal messengers, who found Bonaventure working
at the large washtubs. He was taking his turn scrubbing
the pots and pans. The papal messengers waited
patiently until Bonaventure finished the last pot.
He rinsed and dried his hands. Then they solemnly
presented him the large red hat that symbolized his
new office.
Cardinal Bonaventure was a great help to this
pope, who called the Council of Lyons in 1274.
Thomas Aquinas died on his way to the Council, but
Bonaventure made it. He was very influential at
the assembly. Yet he, too, died rather suddenly on July
14, 1274, at the age of fifty-three. The pope was at his
bedside when he died. Bonaventure was proclaimed
a saint in 1482 by Pope Sixtus IV. In 1588, Pope
Sixtus V declared him a Doctor of the Church.
We, too, should have crucifixes in our homes.
Then we can turn often to Jesus for help and
strength as St. Bonaventure did. Images of Christ,
his mother, Mary, and the saints are good
reminders for us to live as they did.
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July 16 |
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Our Lady of Mount Carmel
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Mount Carmel is a mountain overlooking the plain
of Galilee. It became famous because it was there that
the prophet Elijah, who lived before Our Lord, was
born. Elijah worked a miracle there. Chapter 18 of the
Bible’s First Book of Kings tells how Elijah stood up to
the 450 prophets of the false god, Baal. Through his
prayers, Elijah obtained a miracle from God to prove
that Elijah’s God was the true God.
Centuries later, in the thirteenth century, a group
of European monks began to live on Mount Carmel.
They honored Mary, the Mother of God, as Our Lady
of Mount Carmel. For this reason the people began to
call them friars of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount
Carmel. This was the way the Carmelite Order
began. Pope Honorius III approved the Order’s Rule
in 1226. Simon Stock, an Englishman, became the
superior of all the Carmelites in 1247. He helped the
Order expand and adapt to the times. He patterned
the Order on the Dominicans and Franciscans.
On July 16, 1251, Mary appeared to St. Simon and
gave him the brown scapular. She promised her protection
to all those who would wear the blessed
habit. Many miracles proved her words. St. Pius X
was pope from 1903 until 1914. He said that people
could have the same blessings if they would wear
the scapular medal. This medal has a picture of Our
Lady of the Scapular on one side and the Sacred
Heart on the other. Simon Stock died in Bordeaux,
France, in 1265.
Mary, the Mother of Jesus, is our Mother, too. We
can ask her to help us be more like Jesus. She’ll protect
us in life and help us at the time of death. We
can show our devotion to Mary by wearing the
brown scapular or scapular medal.
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July 17 |
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St. Leo IV
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St. Leo lived in the ninth century. He was Roman
by birth and spent his life in that city. Leo was educated
in the Benedictine monastery near St. Peter’s
Basilica. He was ordained a priest and performed his
ministry at the Basilica of St. John Lateran. Leo was
well known and admired by two popes: Gregory IV,
who made him a subdeacon, and Sergius II, who
named him a cardinal. The death of Pope Sergius II
was to have an immediate effect on Leo. Rumors of
a barbarian invasion of Saracens had Romans terrified.
They did not want to be left without a pope.
Neither did the cardinals. They quickly elected the
successor to Sergius II. He is known to history as
Pope Leo IV.
As pope, Leo had the city walls repaired. The walls
had been damaged the previous year by another
Saracen attack. He restored churches and brought
many relics to Rome. He started a renewal program
for the clergy. In fact, in 853, he called a synod for all
Roman priests. He passed forty-two rules that helped
priests live more fervent, prayerful, and joy-filled lives.
A few bishops caused Leo great suffering, because
of the way they lived. They defied the pope openly
and would not change their ways. No matter how
much Pope Leo was insulted, he remained just, patient,
and humble. He never let his troubles get the best of
him. Leo kept giving his time and energy for Jesus and
his Church. He loved the beautiful prayers of the liturgy
and encouraged liturgical chant and music.
People loved St. Leo. Even during his lifetime, he
was considered a miracle worker. It is said that he put
out a terrible fire in Rome by making the Sign of the
Cross. Pope Leo IV continued serving the Church
with cheerfulness right up to the end of his life. He
died on July 17, 855.
Pope St. Leo IV lived during frightening times. He
had many troubles and challenges, but he always
kept calm and joyful. When we get upset, we can
ask St. Leo IV to help us find peace and calm by
trusting in God.
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July 18 |
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St. Camillus de Lellis
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Camillus de Lellis was born in Naples, Italy, in
1550. He did not start out his life as a saint. As a
young man, he enlisted in the army and developed a
gambling problem, which left him penniless by the
age of twenty-four. Wanting to change his life, he
entered the Capuchin Order in Naples. But he was
unable to make his profession in the Order because
his leg, injured in battle when he was a soldier, had
become incurably diseased. Instead, he began to take
care of the sick in Rome and became the director of
the hospital of St. James.
Camillus’ spiritual director, St. Philip Neri, whose
feast day is May 26, was a very holy priest of Rome.
Fr. Philip helped Camillus to become a priest. Once
he was ordained, Fr. Camillus decided to begin a religious
group devoted to caring for the sick. With two
companions, he started the Order of the Ministers of
the Sick, who are also called the Camellians.
They worked in hospitals in Rome and Naples
and helped plague victims on board ships in the harbors
of Rome. Camillus and his priests and brothers
went to poor, sick people who had no one else to
care for them. They risked their own lives to bring
comfort and hope to people suffering from contagious
diseases. In time, the Order grew and had more
members. Camillus was able to send assistance to
wounded troops in Hungary and Croatia. This was
the first medical unit on a battlefield.
Camillus de Lellis died in Rome on July 14, 1614,
after a long illness. He was canonized in 1746. Pope
Leo XIII named him patron saint of the sick. Pope
Pius XI made him the patron of nurses.
St. Camillus de Lellis wanted to serve God, but
his first idea did not work out. Instead of giving up
all together, he was open to trying something dif-
ferent. Because he let himself be led by the will of
God, he was able to fulfill his dream of being a
priest. We may not know exactly what God’s
will for us is, but if we remain open to loving God
and serving him in others, God will work out his
special plan in our lives.
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July 19 |
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Blessed Peter ToRot
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Peter ToRot was born in 1912 on an island of
Papua New Guinea. His father, the village chief, had
invited Catholic missionaries to teach his people.
Peter’s father and mother were fervent Catholics,
helping the poor and orphans, often in their own
home.
As a teenager, Peter was drawn to prayer and the
Eucharist. The parish priest and Peter’s father recognized
Peter’s faith and abilities. They encouraged
Peter to become a catechist. Most of the evangelization
in New Guinea was carried out by catechists.
Their role was to give instructions to those preparing
for Baptism, hold prayer services, and take care of the
sick and those in need.
Peter was assigned to work in his own village. He
organized prayer groups and classes for instruction in
the faith. He knew the Bible well, always carried it
with him, and relied on it heavily in his teaching. His
gentleness and genuine concern for everyone in his
tribe drew people to him. They could tell that he
practiced what he preached.
On November 11, 1936, Peter married Paula
LaVarpit, a young Catholic woman from a nearby village.
They had three children. Peter was a kind and
loving husband and father. Every day he and his family
would gather together and pray.
In March of 1942, during World War II, the
Japanese occupied the little island. After a time of
religious tolerance, the Japanese began to restrict
missionary activity. Soon, all missionaries, Catholic
and Methodist, were confined. When the priest in
Peter’s village was forced to leave, he shook Peter’s
hand and said, ”I am leaving my work in your hands.
Take care of these people. Don’t let them forget
about God.”
Peter did just that. He and the other catechists
helped to keep the Catholic faith alive. Peter
learned some Japanese and was able to get along
well with the Japanese Naval Authorities. But then
the Military Police took over. They thought the
Christians were praying for a Japanese defeat.
Christian worship was forbidden, and a decree was
issued that the people should go back to the ancient
practice of a man having more than one wife. Peter
publicly protested this.
Peter continued holding his prayer meetings, but
in smaller, less noticeable groups. He encouraged his
parish community to keep praying and to have faith.
That was his work as a catechist.
Peter was arrested when the Japanese Military
Police found out he was organizing prayer groups.
His family came to the prison every day to bring him
food. Methodist and Catholic chiefs of different tribes
tried to have Peter released, but could not. Peter told
them, ”Don’t worry. I’m a catechist. If I die, I die for
the faith.”
In July, 1945, Peter was given a lethal injection
by a Japanese doctor. A fellow prisoner watching
from a distance reported Peter ToRot’s death to the
other prisoners. His family was called to take his
body home to bury it. The crowd that gathered for
the simple funeral proclaimed Peter a martyr for
the faith. After an investigation, the Church agreed.
Pope John Paul II proclaimed him blessed on
January 17, 1995.
Blessed Peter ToRot considered himself a simple
catechist, just doing his duty. But he was faithful to
his duty in very difficult circumstances. His faith
was clear and decisive, and he bravely stood up to
defend it. He was a model of faithfulness for the
people he catechized. He’s also a model for us.
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July 20 |
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St. Apollinarius
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This saint lived in the first century. Much of what
we know about him comes from early reports by
people such as St. Bede and a sermon by St. Peter
Chrysologus.
Apollinarius was born in Antioch. He became a
disciple of St. Peter, who made him a bishop and
sent him as a missionary to Ravenna, Italy. There he
drew many people to accept Christianity by the
example of his holy life and by his preaching. He
had the power to heal the sick in the name of
Christ.
Apollinarius was bishop during the reign of
Emperor Vespasian. Because of persecutions of the
Christians, he was forced into exile four times. It is
not certain if he was actually put to death for the
faith, but he was imprisoned and tortured on different
occasions during his twenty years as bishop of
Ravenna. He is considered a martyr because of the
persecutions he endured for Christ, even though he
survived them.
A martyr is a witness to Christ and to the
Gospel. We’re all called to be an example for others
by the way we live our faith. The life of St.
Apollinarius shows us that the martyrs not only
witnessed to Christ because they died, but because
they remained faithful to the Gospel during their
lifetime, even in the face of opposition.
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July 21 |
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St. Lawrence of Brindisi
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Caesar Rossi was born in Brindisi, Italy, in 1559.
Brindisi was part of the Kingdom of Naples. Caesar
took the name Lawrence when he became a Capuchin
Franciscan at the age of sixteen. He was sent
to the University of Padua to study theology, philosophy,
and Scripture. Lawrence also studied
Latin, Greek, Hebrew, French, German, Spanish, and
Syriac.
After he was ordained a priest, he became a
popular preacher. Because he could speak many
languages, he was able to reach out to many different
people. Later, St. Lawrence was sent to establish
his Order in Austria. The emperor, Rudolph II, did
not want them to come, but Lawrence’s tender care
for victims of a plague won Emperor Rudolph to
his cause.
Next, the emperor asked Lawrence to persuade
the German princes to fight the Turks, who were
trying to conquer Hungary. Lawrence did convince
the princes. However, the leaders insisted that he go
with the army into battle to make the victory certain.
When the soldiers saw how large the Turkish
army was, they wanted to quit. So St. Lawrence himself
rode in the lead. He was armed only with a crucifix.
The German soldiers took heart and fought
bravely. The Turks were completely defeated. St.
Lawrence received the praise, but he never took
pride in his success. He put his trust in God and
gave him the glory.
In 1602, St. Lawrence became the vicar general
of his Order. He worked, preached, and wrote to
spread the Good News. He went on important
peace missions to Munich, Germany, and Madrid,
Spain. The rulers of those places listened to him
and the missions were successful. But St. Lawrence
was very sick. He had suffered exhaustion by traveling
in the unbearable summer heat. He died on
his birthday, July 22, in 1619. He was proclaimed a
saint by Pope Leo XIII in 1881. He was honored as
a Doctor of the Church by Pope John XXIII in 1959.
Prayer is the secret of success in life. We can ask
St. Lawrence of Brindisi to help us set aside time
each day for conversation with God.
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July 22 |
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St. Mary Magdalene
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Mary Magdalene was from Magdala near the Sea
of Galilee. She had been possessed by seven devils
until Jesus cast them out of her. After that she
became his follower and was one of the holy women
who helped Jesus and the apostles.
When Our Lord was crucified, she was there at the
foot of his cross. She stayed with the Blessed Mother
and St. John, unafraid for her own safety. All she could
think about was that her Lord was suffering.
After Jesus’ body had been buried, Mary went to
the tomb early Easter Sunday morning. She was
shocked when she saw that the large stone was
rolled away and the tomb empty. She ran to tell Peter
and John, “They have taken the Lord, but I don’t
know where!” Peter and John ran to the tomb and
found everything just as Mary had said. Mary stayed
at the tomb after Peter and John went back home.
She began to weep. Suddenly she saw someone she
thought was the gardener. She asked him if he knew
where the body of her beloved Master had been
taken. Then the man spoke in a voice she knew so
well: ”Mary!” It was Jesus, standing right there in front
of her! He was risen from the dead! Mary fell at his
feet and cried, ”Teacher!”
The Gospels show Mary as being sent by the Lord
himself to announce the Good News of the resurrection
to Peter and the apostles. In the early centuries
of the Church, Mary Magdalene’s feast was celebrated
with the Mass of an apostle.
St. Mary Magdalene was the first to see the risen
Lord and the first to bring the Good News of the resurrection
to the disciples. She can help us to proclaim
the same Good News by living lives of faith and joy.
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July 23 |
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St. Bridget of Sweden
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Bridget was born in Sweden in 1303. From the
time she was a child, she was greatly devoted to the
sufferings of Jesus. When she was only ten, she
seemed to see Jesus on the cross and hear him say,
“Look at me, my daughter.” ”Who has treated you like
this?” cried little Bridget. ”They who despise me and
refuse my love for them,” answered Jesus. From then
on, Bridget tried to stop people from offending Jesus.
When she was fourteen, she married eighteen-year-old
Ulf. Like Bridget, Ulf had set his heart on serving
God, and they both joined the Franciscan Third Order.
They had eight children, one of whom was St. Catherine
of Sweden. Bridget and Ulf served the Swedish court.
Bridget was the queen’s lady-in-waiting. Bridget tried to
help King Magnus and Queen Blanche lead better lives.
For the most part, they did not listen to her.
All her life, Bridget had marvelous visions and
received special messages from God. In obedience to
them, she visited many rulers and important people in
the Church. She explained humbly what God expected
of them. After her husband died, Bridget put away
her rich clothes. She lived as a poor nun. Later, she
started the Order of the Most Holy Savior, also known
as Bridgettines. She still kept up her own busy life, traveling
about doing good everywhere. And through all
this activity, Jesus continued to reveal many secrets to
her. These she received without the least bit of pride.
Shortly before she died, the saint went on a pilgrimage
to the Holy Land. At the shrines there, she
had visions of what Jesus had said and done in that
place. All St. Bridget’s revelations on the sufferings of
Jesus were published after her death. St. Bridget died
in Rome on July 23, 1373. She was proclaimed a saint
by Pope Boniface IX in 1391.
St. Bridget of Sweden had a deep appreciation
for Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross. We can
ask her to help us be sensitive and grateful followers
of Jesus.
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July 24 |
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St. Sharbel Makhlouf
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Joseph Makhlouf was born in Lebanon in 1828.
He was from a poor family, and his father died when
Joseph was very young. Joseph and his brothers and
sisters were raised by their mother and an uncle.
Their upbringing was very devout, and they learned
to understand and love their faith. Joseph was an altar
server, and he sang in the church choir. Joseph’s job
was to take care of the sheep, and he spent his time
alone in prayer and meditation.
Two of Joseph’s other uncles were monks, and
he liked to visit them in order to imitate their way
of life. When he was twenty-three, he entered a
monastery himself, taking the name Sharbel (or
Charbel). As a monk, he studied theology and philosophy.
He was ordained a priest, and lived a life of
prayer, penance, and hard work. This was just what
he wanted, and he was very happy.
In 1866, Sharbel moved to a small hermitage in
order to live a life of even greater solitude. He felt
God was calling him closer by this type of life. He
lived in his little room for twenty-three years, devoting
most of his time to prayer, especially the Mass.
Even though he hid himself away, many people were
led to him to ask for spiritual advice and prayers.
In 1898, Sharbel had a stroke while he was celebrating
Mass. He was brought back to his room without
being able to finish the Mass. He died eight days
later, on Christmas Eve. His grave became a place of
pilgrimage, and in 1950 there were about 15,000 people
coming to the spot every day! Sharbel was canonized
by Pope Paul VI in 1977.
When we pray, we are doing something very
important and very useful, not only for ourselves,
but for the whole world. When we see difficulties
and problems that we don’t know how to change,
let’s follow the example of St. Sharbel and use the
powerful means of prayer that each of us has at
our disposal.
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July 25 |
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St. James the Greater
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James was a fisherman like his father Zebedee
and his brother John. He was on his father’s boat
mending his nets when the Lord passed by. Jesus
called James and John to become fishers of people,
to join him in spreading the Good News. Zebedee
watched as his two sons left the boat to follow
Jesus.
With St. Peter and St. John, James was a special
companion of Jesus. With them James was permitted
to witness what the other apostles did not see. With
them he watched as Jesus raised the daughter
of Jairus to life. With them he was taken up the
mountain to see Jesus shining like the sun, with
his robes as white as snow. This event is called Jesus’
Transfiguration. On Holy Thursday, the night before
he died, Jesus led the apostles into the garden of
Gethsemane. Matthew’s Gospel tells us he invited
Peter, James, and John to accompany him to a secluded
area to pray. They watched as the Master’s face
became saddened with grief. It was a very difficult
time for the Lord, but the apostles were exhausted.
They fell asleep. Then St. James ran in fear when the
enemies of Jesus took him away. James was not near
the foot of the cross on Good Friday. But the Lord
met up with him on Easter Sunday evening in the
upper room. The resurrected Jesus came through the
locked door and said, ”Peace be to you.” St. James and
the other apostles would find that peace after the
Holy Spirit’s coming on Pentecost.
St. James began his ministry as an impulsive, outspoken
man. He asked Jesus bluntly for a seat of
honor in his kingdom. He demanded that Jesus send
fire down on the villages that did not receive the
Lord. But he had great faith in Jesus. Eventually,
James learned to become humble and gentle. And he
did become “first” in a way he could never have
imagined. He was given the honor of being the first
apostle to die for Jesus. Chapter 12 of the Acts of the
Apostles tells us that King Herod Agrippa had St.
James put to death by the sword. As a martyr James
gave the greatest witness of all.
We can ask St. James for the humility and honesty
to recognize our weaknesses. He’ll help us to
learn from Jesus what we need to change about
ourselves in order to improve.
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July 26 |
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St. Joachim and St. Anne
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St. Anne and St. Joachim are honored as the parents
of the Blessed Virgin Mary. They spent their lives
worshiping God and doing good. They had one great
sorrow, however: for decades they had not been
blessed with children. For years and years Anne had
begged the Lord to give her a child. She promised to
consecrate the baby to him. When she was already
old, God answered her prayer in a far better way than
she could ever have dreamed. The child born to St.
Joachim and St. Anne was the Immaculate Virgin
Mary. This holiest of all women was to become the
Mother of God. Anne took tender care of little Mary
for a few years. Then she gave her to the service of
God, as she had promised she would.
Mary went to live in the holy Temple of Jerusalem.
St. Joachim and St. Anne continued their lives of
prayer until God called them home to heaven.
Christians have always been especially devoted to St.
Anne. Many beautiful churches have been built in her
honor. Perhaps one of the most famous is the Shrine of
St. Anne de Beaupre in Canada. Great crowds go there
all year around to ask St. Anne’s help in their sufferings.
St. Anne and St. Joachim were the parents of
Mary and the grandparents of Jesus. We can ask
them to bring us closer to Jesus and Mary.
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July 27 |
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Blessed Titus Brandsma
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Anno was born into a poor peasant family in the
Netherlands in 1881. He entered the Carmelite Order
when he was seventeen, taking the name Titus. As a
novice, he published a Dutch translation of St. Teresa
of Avila’s writings. He also created a magazine for his
Carmelite Order that eventually was made available
to all Dutch Catholics.
Titus was ordained to the priesthood when he
was twenty-four. After studying in Rome, he returned
to the Netherlands and continued his work of translating
the writings of St. Teresa. He began a new
magazine of Carmelite spirituality and even helped to
edit the local newspaper.
He taught philosophy from 1923 to 1942. During
this time he became well known as a journalist. He
was very outspoken against the Nazi party, attacking
their philosophy and their anti-Semitic crimes. He
defended the Catholic schools and would not allow
Jewish students to be excluded from them after the
Nazis occupied Holland. Using his reputation as a
journalist, he convinced Catholic newspaper editors
not to publish Nazi propaganda.
The Gestapo arrested Titus on January 19, 1942.
While in prison, he wrote poetry and meditations on
the Stations of the Cross. In June, he was sent to the
Dachau concentration camp near Munich, Germany.
He was put to death by lethal injection on July 26,
1942.
Pope John Paul II declared Titus Brandsma blessed
in 1985.
Jesus calls us to love everyone—people of all
nations, races, and religions. Since God is Father of
all, we should think of everyone as a brother or sister.
As Christians, we must do what we can to make
sure others are being treated fairly.
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July 28 |
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Blessed Mary Magdalen Martinengo
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Mary Magdalen Martinengo was born in Brescia,
Italy, in 1687. Her mother died shortly after she was
born. As a child, she was influenced by the lives of
the saints and tried to imitate them in prayer and by
practicing penances.
At the age of eighteen, she joined the community
of Capuchin nuns in her hometown. She lived a life
of prayer and penance and received special gifts from
God, including the gift of being able to perform miracles.
Sister Mary was especially devoted to Jesus on
the cross and would meditate often on each of the
particular sufferings that Jesus endured for the salvation
of sinners.
Many people came to her for advice, and she was
able to give them encouragement and to help them
see what they needed to do to straighten out their
lives. At times, she was even able to read their
thoughts and foretell future events.
Sister Mary Magdalen Martinengo served her
community as novice mistress and portress, and she
was elected prioress twice. She was wise, generous,
and capable in everything she was asked to do. She
died in 1737, at the age of fifty, and was declared
blessed in 1900 by Pope Leo XIII.
We can imitate Jesus Crucified by doing well
whatever we’re asked to do, especially if it’s something
we’d rather not do! Instead of complaining
about doing chores and schoolwork, we can see
them as penances that will help us become more
and more like Our Lord.
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July 29 |
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St. Martha
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Martha was the sister of Mary and Lazarus. They
lived in the little town of Bethany near Jerusalem.
They were dear friends of Jesus, and he often came
to visit them. In fact, the Gospel tells us: ”Jesus loved
Martha, and her sister Mary and Lazarus.” It was
St. Martha who lovingly served the Lord when he visited
them.
One day, she was preparing a meal for Jesus and
his disciples. She realized that the task would be easier
if her sister would help. She watched Mary sitting
quietly at Jesus’ feet, listening to him. “Lord, tell my
sister to help me,” Martha suggested. Jesus was very
pleased with Martha’s loving service. However, he
wanted her to know that listening to God’s Word and
praying is even more important. So he said gently,
“Martha, Martha, you are anxious about many things,
but only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the
better part.”
St. Martha’s great faith in Jesus was seen when her
brother Lazarus died. As soon as she heard that Jesus
was coming to Bethany, Martha went to meet him. She
trusted Jesus and felt the freedom to say: ”Lord, if you
had been here, my brother would not have died.” Then
Jesus told her that Lazarus would rise. He said, “He
who believes in me, even if he die, shall live. Do you
believe this?” And Martha answered, “Yes, Lord, I
believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who
has come into the world.” Jesus worked a great miracle
and raised Lazarus from the dead!
Later, Jesus came again to have supper with
Lazarus, Martha, and Mary. St. Martha served them at
table as usual. This time, though, Martha had a much
more loving attitude. She served with a joyful heart.
St. Martha is an example of hospitality. When
we welcome and serve others, Jesus considers it as
done to himself. St. Martha is also a model of faith
and trust. She was a close friend of Jesus and
knew she could believe his every word. She’ll help
us to develop a close relationship with the Lord as
well.
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July 30 |
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St. Peter Chrysologus
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Peter was born in the small town of Imola, Italy.
He lived in the fifth century. Bishop Cornelius of
Imola educated him and ordained him a deacon. Even
as a boy, Peter understood that a person is truly great
only if he can control his passions and put on the
spirit of Christ.
When the archbishop of Ravenna, Italy, died,
Peter was appointed by Pope Sixtus III to succeed
him. This was around 433. As a priest and bishop, St.
Peter was effective. He worked hard to wipe out the
paganism still practiced in his diocese. He helped his
people grow in faith.
It was as a preacher that St. Peter became
famous. Indeed, ”Chrysologus” means “golden word.”
Yet his sermons or homilies were all short and simple.
But St. Peter’s message was more valuable than
gold. He preached with such enthusiasm and fire
that people listened to him breathlessly. In his sermons,
St. Peter urged everyone to receive Jesus often
in Holy Communion. He wanted people to realize
that the Body of the Lord should be the daily food for
their souls.
This good archbishop also worked for the unity of
all the members of the Catholic Church. He tried to
prevent people from getting confused about what
Catholics believe. He also tried to keep peace. St.
Peter Chrysologus died in 450, in his hometown of
Imola. For his wonderful sermons, so rich in teaching,
Pope Benedict XIII declared St. Peter to be a Doctor
of the Church in 1729. About 180 of these sermons
still exist.
St. Peter Chrysologus preached a simple message
that was easy to understand. We can be like him by
putting the Gospel into practice with little acts of
kindness. This is a message that everyone can
understand and appreciate.
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July 31 |
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St. Ignatius of Loyola
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This famous founder of the Jesuits was born in
1491. He was from a Spanish noble family. As a boy,
he was sent to be a page at the royal court. There he
lived on the desire to someday become a great soldier
and marry a beautiful lady. Later, he did indeed win
honor for his courage in the battle of Pamplona.
However, a wound from a cannon ball forced him to
spend months in bed at Loyola Castle.
Ignatius asked for some books to read. He preferred
stories of knights, but only biographies of Jesus
and the saints were available. Having nothing else to
do, he read them. Gradually, the books began to make
an impression on him. His life began to change. He
said to himself: “These were men and women like
me, so why can’t I do what they have done?” All the
glory he had wanted before seemed worthless now.
He began to imitate the saints in their prayers,
penances, and good works.
When he recovered, he made a pilgrimage to
Monserrat. He left his sword there at the altar and
gave his rich clothes to a poor beggar. He went on
to Manressa where he spent 1522 and 1523 in a
prayerful retreat. In the hopes of becoming a priest,
Ignatius began his education by studying grammar
in Barcelona. The rest of the students were much
younger than Ignatius, who was thirty-three. Yet
Ignatius went to the class because he knew he would
need this knowledge to help him in his ministry. With
patience and even a laugh now and then, he took the
boys’ jeers and taunts. During this time, he tried to
teach and encourage people to pray. For this he was
suspected of heresy and put in jail for a while! But that
was not going to stop Ignatius. ”The whole city does
not contain as many chains as I desire to wear for love
of Jesus,” he said. He was found innocent and released.
He went on to Paris to perfect his Latin and study
philosophy. Ignatius was forty-three when he graduated
from the University of Paris. With six other students,
he professed religious vows in 1534. Ignatius
and those of his companions who were not yet
priests were ordained in 1539. They promised to
work for God in whatever way the Holy Father
thought best. In 1540, their Order was officially recognized
by the pope. Before Ignatius died, there were
1,000 members of the Society of Jesus or “Jesuits.”
They were doing much good work teaching and
preaching. Ignatius often prayed, ”Give me only your
love and your grace. With this I am rich enough and
ask for nothing more.” St. Ignatius died in Rome, on
July 31, 1556. Pope Gregory XV proclaimed him a
saint in 1622.
St. Ignatius read biographies of Jesus and the
saints. These books gave him a deeper awareness of
Jesus, Mary, and the Church. We, too, can choose to
read books of lives of saints for the encouragement
we need to be generous followers of Jesus.
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